Understanding the Smart Grid We are all familiar with the idea of an electrical grid, it is the infrastructure that brings together power generation, distribution and consumption. A smart grid takes that passive infrastructure and adds in the ability to adjust any aspect of energy provision to suit prevailing demands, becoming instead, an active energy distribution system. Taking data from power generators, power distributors and energy consumers, it analyzes all aspects of the process to find the most efficient and sustainable distribution process at any given point, constantly reaction to changes in demand and supply to maintain reliable electricity supply while minimizing wastage and costs. How does a smart grid work? There is a wide range of technology behind the smart grid, hardware that includes sensors that monitor energy flow, situated at both generation and consumer ends of the grid, as well as grid monitoring to deal with issues during transmission. These monitors form a cohesive network across the grid, relaying information in real time about energy usage and movement across the grid. To receive all that data software systems provide ongoing analysis of data as it arrives in real time, providing a clear picture of where demand is, production levels and the status of the grid that connects each end. In addition, the smart grid also utilizes direct communications with consumers, programs designed to adjust consumer behavior and influence energy consumption to smooth out the peaks and troughs of daily demand. We can look at these as four key elements: AMI (Advanced metering Infrastructure) — The connected monitoring hardware that provides real time data on both electricity production and consumption to allow software systems to determine needed capacity levels. Grid Sensors — Enables automated rerouting and other responses to transmission issues to maintain supply through rapid deployment of appropriate solutions. Energy Integration — Modern energy provision comes from a variety of sources. A smart grid integrates all suppliers into the system and leverages each as required to maintain capacity. This includes solar, wind and traditional sources. Demand awareness — Programs aimed at education consumers to lessen their use at peak times, softening the peaks and troughs of demand to assist with the complexities of energy generation. How does this impact electric vehicle infrastructure? Electric vehicles represent a significant portion of current energy demand, and that will only grow as they become more widely adopted. As a result, a successful smart grid must take the needs of both current and future electric vehicles into account, this includes several important features. Charge Scheduling Intelligent charge scheduling helps smart grids manage the extremely large demand that electric vehicles as a whole generate. Instead of all vehicles starting their charge in the early evening as people arrive home from work, intelligent systems focus on what time the charge finishes, rather than begins. This means that vehicles start charging so they will be finished in time for the first morning journey, and that shifts demand to the nighttime, away from peak demand and allowing for a more manageable, controlled approach. This scheduling can also prioritize the type of energy as well, focusing on charging during times of high renewable energy generation, so vehicles are operating through clean energy more often, which is useful for promoting the adoption of electric vehicles and clean energy itself. Energy Storage and Load Balancing Many modern electric vehicles feature vehicle-to-grid (V2X) technologies, so can act as mobile energy storage units. As electric vehicles become more common, together they represent a significant amount of energy storage, and can become part of the load balancing infrastructure for meeting peak demand. Conclusion Smart Grid systems are essential in meeting every growing electricity demand in an efficient and sustainable way. The ability to respond to demand in real time and incorporate various energy provision into a single process is key to delivering sustainable energy provision moving forward. This kind of responsive electricity supply goes hand in hand with the adoption of electric vehicles, which represent the biggest increases in electric consumption from most consumers. By utilizing these vehicles as part of the demand solution, they are transformed from being a potential energy problem, to a welcome aspect of maintaining energy efficiency.
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